Witchetty

Looking forwards while looking back.

I have been busy house hunting over the past two days so I haven't had a chance to catch up here, so I thought today would just be a quick update post. Still no luck in the house hunting department but I think we are getting close.

Firstly, I was very excited to learn that I had won Mixed Media Monday's art of the week for the topic of Monocromatic.  Wow, there were so many fantastic entries so it was an honour to be chosen.

Those of you that are regular visitors of my blog may have noticed that I have given my blog a little face lift. It is something that I have been meaning to complete for a while now and when I woke up on Friday with a headcold I decided to spend the day doing some much needed 'house keeping' here on the net. I tidied my Etsy store and marked a few canvases down to clear. With the impending move I thought it would be better if I didn't have as much artwork to pack, so if you are interested, you can view the specials here.

I also finished the design for my blog and I am really happy with how it turned out. I moved all of my blog links onto a page of their own here on my blog and created a button in the side bar to find them. It gives my sidebar a much cleaner look as I think as it was getting a bit cluttered. I also designed and created buttons for my Etsy store, email, and my new Madeit Store. Madeit is a website that was created to give Australian designers a place to sell their work and to network and advertise themselves. I have heard some really wonderful things from other Australian artists and thought that it was time to create my own store.

Which brings me the the heading of this post...."Looking forward while looking back". With the completion of my new design here and my new Madeit store I feel as though I am really moving forward in a positive way and it reminds me of where I have come from. I remember how nervous I was to show anyone my work when I first start painting and I felt so many times like a fraud pretending to want to be an artist. What a difference a year can make and I owe a lot of my confidence on the many wonderful and generous visitors that leave comments about my art here on my blog.

I also wanted to revisit an older piece of art because it is my favourite painting and the first to be listed in my Madeit store.

The Two of Us - I have always been blessed with a close relationship with my Mother and I absolutely adore my daughter Jade. I think every women knows how special the bond between a Mother and her daughter can be, whether you are a daughter or a mother, it is a profoundly deep bond that can never be broken. Even at times when desiring independence and needing to be recognised as a women in your own right, your Mother is one of the most important people in influencing who you become in this world.

xx Bee

Finally some ACEO's and an update

I apologise for the lack of posts this week. I received some really bad news on Tuesday morning and it has left me reeling. I am not ready to share it just yet as I am still trying to come to terms with it myself. I thought a post was needed however to show off my first ever ACEO's, something I have been wanting to try for ages and finally completed three.

So without further ado.....let me introduce:

Jasmine

Camille

 Contessa

They are available in my Etsy store.

xx Bee

Card, glorious card!

As a child I loved the school storage cupboard, nothing was so wonderful as being allowed to go into the cupboard with all of the beautiful, new coloured card stacked neatly in every possible colour imaginable. I still love stationary and art supply stores and shopping for the beginning of the school year gives me a buzz. So, for the past few days I have been busy experimenting with coloured card and reproductions of my paintings. I love the results and they look really fresh and vibrant in real life.

This actually came from frustration with the process of selling cards online through one of the larger greeting card companies. Each card had to be approved and I had no way of controlling the quality of the product being offered. After 3 weeks I realized that this wasn't the direction I want my art business to take and I really need a plan.

So prints are now available in my store and over the next few weeks I will be adding bookmarks, cards and ACEO's as well. I will also be working behind the scenes on developing my brand and packaging and hopefully give my blog a face lift.

I am really excited to have a plan in place to help my business grow and even dispite the 12 hour days I have been working to get everything done, it is just so rewarding.

Greeting Cards are now available

I spent yesterday setting up a greeting card store through Greeting Card Universe and I am now happy to announce that my artwork can be purchased as cards here.

Until I decided that being an artist was what I wanted to do with my life, I thought that it was just about painting each day. What I didn't realise was how much work goes on behind the scenes doing the business of art. For any product to be offered for sale there is hours that need to go into setting up online stores, taking images, editing images and marketing your items just right. I will admit that the selling part is going to take some practice but I am really enjoying the journey and what I am learning along the way. At least when you are doing what you love you can never get bored.

So today I have a catch up day in my studio. I have art to varnish, new listings for both ebay and etsy, and I want to get a really good start on my painting for Monday Artday - War. Hopefully I will be back this afternoon with an update and some art to show you.

xx Bee

Ebay Auctions

Just poppng in quickly this morning to give you a quick update. I have finally started an ebay auction and will adding new pieces for auction every couple of days. You can find the link on the left sidebar.

On auction is my mixed media piece Transform:

8" x 10" on gallery wrapped canvas

Acrylic and patterned paper

New Etsy Banner

The very talented kieutiepie has designed a new Etsy store banner for me and has done a fantastic job.

It is exactly the look that I wanted. Whimsical and mysterious....an it shows off my artwork and fits my store name perfectly.

Kieutiepie has just listed custom Etsy banners for just $10, definitely worth a visit to her store.

Ok, I am off to the stores to purchase our new summer wardrobes and I should have some original illustrations to show you later tomorrow.

xx Bee

I am featured in a treasury

I am so excited, as far as I know this is my first treasury...

You can check it out here (it expires on Sunday):  http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=15278

Prints are in Store!!

I have finally listed some prints of 3 of my original paintings and I will be listing 2 more tomorrow. The prints are 8 x 10 in size and I will also be offering 5 x 7 by the end of the week.

Included is a print of Moonlit Reflections which has already been sold. To check  out my prints visit my Etsy store: Witchetty

Until tomorrow

xx Bee